Hello, Could somebody please tell me during which years the 550M was offered with the magnesium wheel and when the changeover to the aluminum wheel occurred? Thank you & best regards, Angelo
Make / Models : FERRARI / 550 MARANELLO Model/Build Years: 1997-1999 Recall Number: 01V297000 Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE WHEEL BOLT INSERTS FITTED IN THE MAGNESIUM WHEEL CAN SHOW SIGNS OF CRACKING. Consequence: IF THE WHEEL BOLT INSERTS BEGIN TO CRACK, A REDUCTION OF THE TORQUE APPLIED TO THE WHEEL WOULD RESULT. VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FOUR MAGNESIUM WHEELS WITH WHEELS MADE OF ALUMINUM, WHICH ARE NOT FITTED WITH INSERTS. ALL THE WHEEL BOLTS WILL ALSO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE ALUMINUM WHEELS REQUIRE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 1, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FERRARI AT 1-201-816-2651. Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Hello Another question to this theme. Are the Magnesium rims from Speedline and the alluminium rims came from BBS ? Is it really critical with the magnesium rims ? My car has the BBS rims, but i have bought a front rim for spares which is a Speedline. The inside contour at the hub section is a bit different to the BBS. Daniel
The magnesium rims have spokes which are enclosed on the back-side (see photo) forming a D cross section. The replacement aluminum wheels have spokes open on the back-side forming a C cross section. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Fellows, 1. Thank you for the explanation and pictures. 2. I saw several 550M magnesium wheels for sale on Ebay. Can I assume that using them be a safety hazard? Thank you, Angelo
Angelo, When the magnesium wheels were recalled, they were supposed to have been destroyed by the dealerships. I remember a stack of magnesium wheels at Classic Coach each with a wedge-shaped section cut out. They still keep a couple of mutilated examples to demonstrate the cracking which occured. The ones you see on eBay were never turned in for replacement. I wouldn't purchase them. Aluminum 550 wheels are readily available, both new and used. Barry
A buddy of mine sells OEM wheels for a living, and he's had a couple of people calling him for Magnesium 550 Wheels for judging at shows like the Cavallino. At least that's what he told me, he's one of the biggest OEM players in the USA so I'd think he's being truthful. He has a set in stock and called me to check the wheels on my 550 because he says the magnesium wheels are worth a small fortune since Ferrari destroyed them all. I don't know the show rules, but I'd think that there would be a deduction for non mag wheels on a car that came with Mag wheels. Or if not a deduction, a bonus for the all original car. I'm not sure how Cavallino deals with recalls.
Mike, There are enough of the magnesium 550 wheels around that many OEM wheel dealers and eBay sellers have listed them frequently, often selling them to uninformed or unsuspecting buyers. They continue to be available in such markets nearly nine years after the recall. An OEM wheel dealership in California listed a set of pre-owned 550 wheels on his website a year ago. He was asking $699.99 per wheel, front or rear. He did not specify composition and simply listed them as "silver replacement alloy wheel rims." I called him at the time as I was looking for a spare set of 550 wheels for track events. I questioned him regarding alloy composition. He didn't seem to know about the recall so I emailed him pictures of the magnesium and aluminum wheels. He responded that three of the four wheels in the set were magnesium. Naturally, i passed on those wheels. The last thing I need is a wheel failing at speed on the track. The dealership still lists the wheels today for the same price. Cavallino supports and endorses the IAC/PFA Judging System, as formulated by the International Advisory Council for the Preservation of the Ferrari Automobile. You can read these guidelines on the Cavallino website: http://www.cavallino.com/judging.html No speciific mention is made of recalls in the guidelines. I am a regional concours judge at Ferrari events and have been taught that I do not deduct for authorized Factory replacement parts installed as specified by Factory recalls. Indeed, if judges notice a part which was not replaced as per a Factory recall, it's incumbent on them to inform the owner. In the case of magnesium alloy 550 wheels, there was a reason for their recall. A safety issue was specifically referenced. I see no rationale for there to be a premium on these wheels. Barry
Barry- I am with you. Only a three-fingered idiot would be driving a 550 with those magnesium wheels. If Ferrari recalled them, they really need to be discarded or used to make a glass coffee table, but certainly not fitted to a car with 400+ ft lbs of torque. You would think a dealer would be worried about a lawsuit if they sold them. Taz Terry Phillips
Terry, Unfortunately a number of magnesium wheels are still in circulation. When an uninformed buyer suddenly becomes informed, he tries to unload them on eBay. The inner aspect of the 550 wheels are seldom shown in eBay listings for that reason. The dealership I mentioned was informed a year ago that the wheels he was offering were recalled. I specifically referenced the NHTSA recall notice 01V297000 as Tillman posted. He continues to offer them for sale. They're worth a small fortune alright....in counterfeit bills! Barry
Terry, FNA's responsibility ends when the wheels are off the car and circulate on the open market. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration might have jurisdiction in matters like this. In any event, it's good that a forum such as this exists to inform Ferrari owners. Barry
Everybody, Thank you for the lesson on these wheels. It is really a pity that a dealer would still be trying to make a buck on a dangerous safety item. By the way, after having informed at the end of April that I purchased a 2000MY 550, I finally picked-up the car yesterday at the dealerhsip. Unfortunately, it was rush hour and I never managed to get past 3rd gear. Since I am travelling tomorrow, I will either have to take it out for a spin tonight or wait until next week. Will be posting pictures soon! Question: I normally always disconnect the battery from my classic cars. Is there any negative aspect in doing this (via the "kill switch") with the 550M? Regards to all, Angelo
Angelo, Congratulations! Drive your Maranello in good health. It's OK to use your battery cut-off switch when storing your car. Many Maranello owners keep their batteries charged with battery tenders. I have a Schumacher SE-1-12S mounted for that purpose. Barry Image Unavailable, Please Login
Angelo- What Barry says. When you disconnect the battery, you do force the Motronic ECU and other ECUs to go through a relearn cycle every time you turn it off and on. In general a week to 10 days should be fine with no charger, and if you are going to leave her longer than that, a battery tender is the way to go. There are several threads on battery tenders and chargers here and in the Tech Q&A. Barry has one permanently installed, and I use a Ferrari branded CTEK with alligator clips, but unbranded CTEKs identical to the one I have without the red paint are $69.99 on E-Bay and from other sources. If she will be stored for a long period of time (months), disconnecting the battery is a good option. Taz Terry phillips
The battery tender is the way to go, Angelo. The 550's ECUs "relearn" things a little quicker than the next generation ECUs in the 575Ms. When I've used the battery cut-off switch, I let my 550 idle for 5-10 minutes and do some normal driving, street and highway. That's all that is necessary for the ECUs to relearn what they need to know. So the hardest part is resetting the analog clock and the radio's settings. Barry
Interesting. Thanks for the info.... Side comment, the seller I'm referring to DOES NOT sell them for road use. He was specifically selling them for show/museum vehicles.
